Endings Beginnings

No turning back

First year of high school

The scattered clouds are swept by the wind and brought the smell of the sky of a rainy season that gently passed. The graciously almost clear blue looks so inviting like a pool of endless pit. I reached out my hands out to the sky as if trying to reach what seems to be unreachable.

The metal bench creaked with my little action. I never liked this bench. When I first saw this little garden on the second floor of our school, I immediately fell in love—with the fact that it's connected to the library is enthralling.

A sensuous green elope the serene new old-time garden. The bricks laid on the floor with tiny greens seeping from the cracks in between while the benches and pavilion occupy this delicious space. The school's fund forgot the benches, it seems.

The warmness serves as a balm to my wrecked nerves. I sighed heavily as I shake my head. Tinampal ko ang magkabilang pisngi ko para pigilan ang sarili.

Nakakahilo, Bi. Stop na.

I never thought I'll say this but,

Lupa lamunin mo 'ko!

Earlier that day

"Ano 'bang ginagawa natin dito? At saan naman nagpunta si Cherry, akala ko sabay kayo?" sunod sunod 'kong tanong kay Dennis. Tinignan 'kong mabuti at pinasadahan ko ng kamay ang hagdanan na yari sa bato kung saan nakaupo si Dennis at ng masiguradong patag ito at walang nakausli, ay umupo na rin ako. 3pm ang out namin but Cherry is nowhere to be seen.

"Maglaro raw muna kami, saglit lang naman." Tinaas ko ang kilay ko, "Ang init init maglalaro kayo." Nagkibit balikat lamang si Dennis saying that it's fine.

Katapat ng hagdanan ay ang malawak na court kung saan natanaw ko si Cherry na may dalang bola.

Ah, volleyball.

Umusli ang nguso ko dahil panigurado 'yung saglit nila ay hindi naman talaga saglit lang.

Pumalapit sa amin si Cherry at nanlaki ang mata ko ng bigla niyang tinapon ang bola sa pwesto namin. My sane thinking flew out of the window and I quickly acted on instinct. Agad 'kong hinarang ang kamay ko sa at pinikit ang mata at hinintay ang bola na tumama.

'Pag talagang tumama sa akin 'yung bola, lagot ka sa 'kin prutas!

Seconds became eternity at doon ko narinig ang tawanan nila. Agad 'kong nilingon si Dennis na ngayon ay hawak ang bola. Agad ko itong inagaw at tinignan ng masama si Cherry na ngayon ay tawa ng tawa. "Saluhin mo! 'Wag mong hintayin na tamaan ka."

Hinagis ko ang bola kay Cherry at nagready naman siyang saluhin ito kaso... lumagpas sa ulo niya 'yung bola.

I chewed my lips at tinignan si Cherry na ang nagawa na lamang ay panuorin ang bolang lumagpas bago humagalpak sa tawa.

Lalo akong nabwiset dahil sa nangyari. I rolled my eyes at humalukipkip. Nagsimula na silang tuksuhin ako dahil wala akong pagasa sa pagkontrol ng bola. I made faces at them at hindi na lang pinatulan.

Nangaasar pa rin sila ng nahagip ng mata ko ang pamilyar na bulto.

He was fooling around with couple of students who's probably his friend. His cinnamon hair was ruffled by unknown hands.

Will I ever have the chance to do that? To feel the softness in between my fingers. The smell of his shampoo hanging in my hand.

Okay Shakespeare, not romantic at all. Na ah.